It's Madness

Well March Madness that is! While I admit I know nothing about basketball march madness is always an exciting time!  Weekend games, parties, and time with friends! 

Unfortunately my Butler Bulldogs didn't make it this year! But there is a new underdog to route for, The Creighton Blue Jays! It will be great to watch and cheer on my little sisters school (who knows how far they will make it)!

I decided this year it was time for me to make my first ever bracket! You would think with Butler making it all the way to the final games (2 years in a row) that I would have done this sooner!

Now I already told you I know nothing about basketball, and to be honest had no idea there were 4 different divisions of the bracket (I learned that last year)! Thankfully my sports obsessed boyfriend helped me out with this one a bit!  And I think I had a pretty great way of picking my teams!  So are you ready for my super scientific bracket method? Ready?

Colors and mascots (and also some teams that I actually knew who the heck they were) genious!

Now will see how well my first bracket does!

Did any of you make a bracket this year?

How did you decide your teams?

Scenes From The Weekend

Hey there everyone!

Did we all have a wonderful weekend?

I hope so!

I cannot get over how nice the weather was this weekend!

I ditched my early morning gym workout Saturday for a lovely 2 hour walk with my mom!

Up in my neighborhood we have these wonderful paths through the woods that covers about 6 miles!

It was great to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, beautiful scenery and of course exercise!

My body (and ankle) appreciated the low key workout!

Here are just a few pictures from our nature hike!

I cannot wait for the weather to be nice all the time, I am now itching for spring to get here!

Now, I am going to spare you from my ramblings today and simply just share the 3 dishes that will be featured this week!  This week is going to be a bit hectic, I maybe a little MIA I apologize in advance!  Don't miss me to much!

But here are our 3 lovely recipes
(most will be served with grilled chicken or fish since the weather is so nice)!!
Enjoy!

Tex Mex CousCous-From Eat Yourself Skinny

Source: eat-yourself-skinny.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Skinny Taste-Pasta with Broccoli

Source: skinnytaste.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

and finally...
Roasted Veggies!

Source: myrecipes.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Happy Monday Everyone!

Great Picks

Happy Friday everyone!

Just 8 more hours, and we will officially be enjoying the weekend!

Source: weheartit.com via Clarisse on Pinterest

Anyone have big plans for the weekend? I'm going to take full advantage of having nothing planned, sit back and relax! I have been wanting to finish the book I am reading, sounds like the perfect weekend to do that! Tonight is my sisters last night home, so I am looking forward to spending some time with her before she leaves.

Speaking of my sister she picked two fabulous recipes to make this week! I will be adding these recipes to the list of keepers!

Great job sissy!

Let's start with this one!

Lemon Quinoa Cilantro Chickpea Salad-The Diva Dish.

Source: thediva-dish.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

This salad was full of flavor from the cilantro and lemon and I loved the avacado. My sister used black quinoa which I had never had before gave the salad a nice look! This would be an easy salad to throw in a lunch box, or an easy meal for a hectic night! Loaded with protein from the chickpeas and quinoa and healthy fats from the avocado this is one nutrient packed salad!

Now let's talk about these burritos.

Greek Burritos (from Kokocooks) to be exact!

Hands down I would eat this over a regular Mexican burrito any day! My sister subbed in grilled chicken in place of the lamb and then finished it off in a pan with the spices. Delicious! She said she used a bit more tomato paste and added our favorite Greek seasoning to give the dish a little kick of flavor! Homemade tzaziki sauce, fresh cucumber, tomatoes, and a sprinkle of feta made for some happy taste buds! As we sat around the dinner table talking about the meal we also decided the chicken served with pita bread and hummus would be a delicious idea as well! 

Looking for a a tasty dinner, make those burritos!  You won't be sorry! 

So there you have it! Two recipes from my lovely sisters pin board!  Thanks Sissy!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Bittersweet

Hello!

How are we all today?

Doing well?   Anxiously awaiting the weekend?

I know I am!

I want to say a big Thank You to you all!

Source: etsy.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

I really appreciate the well wishes regarding my ankle!

And loved all the feed back and suggestions you all gave on how to up calcium intake!  Thank you, Thank You Thank You!


Today is my Coworker and Friend Krista's last day of work!
She will be starting her dream job here in a few weeks.  I am so happy and excited for her!  She has a great future ahead of her!  But I am going to miss having her around!

Source: 366coolthings.tumblr.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

So it is a bittersweet day here in the office!
But wising my friend the best as she heads out on this new adventure!

Happy Thursday! 

Uping the Intake

Wednesday!

How did we already make it to the middle of the week?

I feel like this week I have been in go go go mode!  

But I can't complain I like to be a bit busy!

Last week I mentioned in a post that I was having a bit of trouble with my ankle. 

Well I finally sucked it up and went to Sports Medicine to have my ankle checked out.  And the results are in..

I have a very tiny stress fracture on the inside of my left ankle (well no wonder it hurt to run)!  I have to say I am not completely shocked with the results but I am relieved that my pain is not caused by something worse!  Thankfully my stress fracture is tiny which is great news.  While I have to take a month of from running (queue sad face) I am thankful that I am still allowed to do low impact cardio and weights.  I would go crazy if I couldn't work out.  

Along with the low impact cardio my Doctor recommends lots and lots of stretching and focusing on a well balanced diet.  She wants me to focus on getting all  the proper nutrients with a emphasis on calcium (gotta build strong bones)!  A siren went off in my head with the word calcium, because I know I don't get as much calicum as I need!  

Since my doctors appointment I have been looking for small ways to up my intake of calicum!
One of my 2012 goals was to continue on the path of healthy living (read about my 2012 goals here).  Uping my calicum intake def. falls under that goal!

Here is my plan of action;
One of the easiest things I can do is drink milk!
I am going to aim for 2 glasses of milk a day!

Unsweetened almond milk is my favorite!

I am going to continue packing loaded yogurt bowls for a mid morning snack!

Not only is plain greek yogurt good for you, but its a blank canvas for healthy mix ins!
Some favs are Trader Joes Trail Mix (nuts are another great source), Granola/cereal, and fresh fruit!

I am going to up my intake of calcium rich veggies!

Killing two birds with one stone!  Veggies and calcium!

And last but not least incorperate Chia seeds more into my diet (2 ounces of Chia Seeds have 600 MG of calcium)! Yes I use them every now and then in overnight oats, but people add them to salads, smoothies, and yogurt... the sky is the limit!

A few small steps that will hopefully lead to big benefits!
How do you sneak more calcium into your diet?

New to Me

Hey there everyone!

How are we all doing on this lovely Tuesday Morning?

Tuesdays are so much better then Mondays... One day closer to Friday!

My little sister made it home safe to Minnesota!

It is good to have her home!

Yesterday I promised I would have a new line up of recipes!

While these recipes are new to me they are not off my pin board!  This lovely line up comes to you from my little sisters board!  I have to say that I am mighty excited for them!

Avocado Quinoa Salad from The Diva Dish

Source: thediva-dish.com via Miranda on Pinterest

Love avocado, how delicious does that look?

and

Greek Burritos from KokoCooks

Source: kokocooks.blogspot.com via Miranda on Pinterest

Love Greek Food!  Bring on the feta!

So there you have it two new recipes!
My sister also pinned this on my board last night...

Source: annies-eats.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Strawberry Burschetta from Annie Eats!  Goat cheese, strawberries basil and balsamic vinegar!  Yum!
I am drooling just looking at this picture again!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

A Whirlwind-And Guest Blogging!

Good Morning All!

Did everyone have a good weekend?  Feel rested? Wish it was longer?

I feel like we are all in the same boat!  Before I start rambling about the weekend and recipes I am going to tell you to head over to Life Through Preppy Glasses and check out my guest post on color!  There are some cheery colors that should make Monday morning a bit brighter!

Alright queue weekend recap!

The weekend consisted of shopping, baking, basketball (Butler and Creighton) and well that pretty much sums it up.  While Butler will not be Horizon League champs this year (and no NCAA tournament sad day) my little sisters school the Creighton BlueJays were Missouri Valley Conference champs and are NCAA bound!  

Cannot wait to see how far Creighton goes in the tournament!  I am thinking this year for March Madness I should make a bracket.  I have never made a tournament bracket, even though every year I talk about making one!   I don't even know how I would pick my teams!  Maybe I should base it on mascot or school colors?  What do you think?

Anyways in big news my little sister comes home tonight! 

 I am super excited to see her it is always fun when she comes home to visit.  My parents are headed back up to Minneapolis this morning to fetch her from the airport, and I wish I could have gone with them!  Now I know it is Monday and Monday means a new recipe line up, but I don't have that for you at the moment!  I was a bit lazy this weekend and I figured I should maybe get my sisters input after all how often do you get to come home and have home cooked meals (not often)!  So just sit tight, I will have the recipes for you ASAP!

And just because I feel bad for not having a new recipe line up for you I will leave you with these...

Source: skinnytaste.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Source: thesensitivepantry.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Source: eatliverun.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Just a few delicious pins I have been dying to make off the pin board!

Happy Monday All!